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UN Security Council not ready to issue statement on Gaza

( dpa ) - The UN Security Council met Wednesday to try to hammer out a statement on the situation in the Gaza Strip, but not all of its 15 members agreed on the text, diplomats said.

One country had not received instruction from its home government whether to support the statement or not, South African Ambassador Dumisami Kumalo said, without naming the country.

The draft, which was revised on Wednesday, would express the council's "deep concern about the steep deterioration of the humanitarian situation" in Gaza because of the closure of border crossings, the cutting off of power and the prevention of delivery of food and medical supplies.

Council President, Libyan Ambassador Giadalla Ettalhi, said the draft was also to be submitted to the Arab League for its approval. He also said one country still could not support the draft, but declined to say which one of the 15 members.

Ettalhi said the council planned to meet again Thursday morning to decide whether to issue the text, which is called a presidential statement. The statement needs approval by all 15 members before it is issued.

It would urge Israel to abide by its international obligations and law.

"In this context, it calls upon Israel to ensure unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people to alleviate the situation, and to open the border crossing to facilitate the passage of imports and exports and access of humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip," the draft said.

It would request the international community to continue to provide emergency and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.

The draft also said, "The Security also expresses its deep concern about the recent violence affecting Gaza and communities in southern Israel. The council calls on all parties to immediate cease all acts of violence, including the firing of rockets into Israel territory and all activities which are contrary to international law and endanger civilians."

The council met on Tuesday to debate the deepening crisis in Gaza and began discussing the draft, which was revised to reflect responsibilities by both Israelis and the Palestinians in the conflict.

Palestinian militants blew numerous holes in a wall along the border with Egypt on Wednesday in response to the Israeli siege aimed at ending rocket attacks into Israel that cut off supplies to the tiny Palestinian territory controlled by Hamas.